Originally Posted by
some dude
SPG does this too. Check out the Cottages at Sunset Key. No standard award availability, ever. The premium awards are usually insanely high (200K points per night+).
Rooms can be had for under $500/night.
Grass isn't always greener.
I don't think that is a very good comparison as that property is an all suite property (the cottages are multi-room suites sold as one, two, or three bedroom units). Therefore, SPG designates this property as a category 7 suite redemption. There are no properties in the SPG portfolio (EXCEPT for all-suite properties) that do not offer standard redemptions.
I will agree that Sunset Key Cottages are now a terrible reward redemption option. I was lucky enough to grab a five night redemption at Sunset Key after it joined SPG and before it changed to a category 7 with an all suite redemption policy. For 80,000 SPG points I received a two-bedroom unit upgraded to ocean view at check-in for five nights. I would never redeem there now given the crazy rates they now charge.
SG